Category: National Parks

  • 9 Best Things to Do in Seoraksan National Park

    Seoraksan National Park is on the eastern side of South Korea, near the east sea and Japan. As one of the top attractions in Korea for visitors and as one of the most visited and popular National Parks in the country, I highly recommend adding a stop to your itinerary, even if you can only spare one day. Within the park there’s plenty to see and do – with beautiful hikes, stunning waterfalls, an iconic cable car, and one of the most peaceful temples and tea houses.

    My Essential Korea Travel Resources :

    There are plenty of travel companies out there, but these are my favorite websites and resources for planning an unforgettable trip to South Korea. This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more here.

    🚙 Car rentals, although not common in Korea, are best through Discover Cars – just make sure to have a copy of your international driver’s permit with you!

    🏨 I always use AGODA to compare hotels & prices in Asia.

    📶 To keep cell phone service, I use Airalo’s easy to purchase eSIM’s (no installation required).

    📸 For fun things to do, Klook specializes on tours in Asia, otherwise Viator also does the trick.

    🦋 Just in case, Safetywing is the insurance I always use when visiting a new country.

    🧳 Lastly, my essential packing list when visiting Korea.

    How to Get to Seoraksan National Park

    Seoraksan National Park is fairly easy to get to, and you have a few options on how to get there. Personally, I highly recommend renting a car and driving there yourself – I have an entire guide on how to drive in Korea as a foreigner. This way, you can rent a hotel in the area and spend more than just one day exploring the park and nearby attractions. If you want to do some of the hikes in Seoraksan, you’ll definitely want more than a single day, I recommend 2-3 days at most. Driving yourself to Seoraksan is also the fastest option, and will only take about 2-3 hours depending on traffic, plus this way you can stop at some of the fun rest stops along the way!

    Your very last option on getting to Seoraksan National Park is by taking public transportation. Since the subway system doesn’t extend this far outside of Seoul, you’ll need to take a public bus. I recommend beginning at the Seoul Express Bus Terminal and catching the bus to the Sokcho Express Bus Terminal. From here, you’ll need to catch another ride to the actual entrance of the park, either on a local bus or through a taxi or Kakao T (Korea’s Uber).

    9 Top Sights You Don’t Want to Miss at Seoraksan

    1. Head Out on A Hike
    Even if you’re just visiting for one day, there’s plenty of hikes for you to do in the area. I have an entire guide on the best hikes in Seoraksan National Park, but my top recommendations for hiking trails would be to follow the path to Biryong Pokpo (or waterfall). The path begins paved, wide, and flat – and eventually brings you over a suspension bridge with giant canyons where you can see Yukdam Falls before you’ll need to head up some stairs to the actual Biryong Waterfall. From here, you can choose to enjoy the water by soaking your feet or continuing further and heading up to the Towangseong Observatory.

    2. Seoraksan Cable Car
    ​The Seoraksan Cable Car is one of the most popular attractions in the park. Before your visit you’ll want to make sure that the cable car is actually open – you can do this on their official website. In the past I’ve visited while the cable car is under construction, and although you can technically hike up to the same viewpoint, the cable car is a fun way to experience the views without the physical demands of hiking. Round trip tickets for adults are 15,000 KRW (or about $10 USD), and I recommend booking them on site – we’ve never had issues with them selling out for the day. It is worth knowing that just like in other areas of Korea they pack you in pretty tight, so if you have a hard time with crowds, I recommend trying to stand near one of the windows.

    3. Chase Some Waterfalls
    In Korean, “pok-po” means waterfall, and there’s a few in the Seoraksan National Park area. If you follow the trail to Yukdam & Biryong Falls you’ll see a couple along the way. Biryong Waterfall is the best in the park in my opinion, and once you get there, they have different areas where you can rest, relax, and soak your feet in the cold water.

    4. Visit the Tea House
    One of my personal favorite things to do in Seoraksan National Park is to visit the on-site teahouse. Every time I visit the park I make sure to stop and get one of their desserts (like bingsu) or teas. You can see the tea house on the way to the Sinheungsa Temple, and there’s some great views from their outdoor seating area.

    5. Sinheungsa Temple
    Sinheungsa Temple is located on the further end of the park, past the restaurants, cable car entrance, and majority of the starting points of the hikes. As you walk towards the temple, you’ll see a large, bronze seated Buddha statue to your right. I recommend stopping for a viewpoint, before continuing on past the teahouse to the temple. Unlike other temples in Asia, Korea doesn’t typically enforce dress codes for visitors, so you can visit, however you are. While you explore the temple grounds, you’ll want to be respectful and quiet.

    6. Grab a Bite to Eat
    Inside Seoraksan National Park you’ll find a few different restaurants. Personally, I always stop by the area of restaurants with picnic tables for outdoor seating, almost like a cafeteria. Their menus double in English and Korean, and have pictures, making it pretty easy to order. If you’re not sure what to get, I recommend a vegetable pajeon (pancake) or bibimbap. There’s also a few snack stands throughout the park if you’re wanting something a little lighter or more like street food.

    7. Gwongeumseong Fortress
    If you take the cable car to the top of the mountain, you can then continue hiking towards the Gwongeumseong Fortress. It’s said that you can still see remnants of the floor and castle walls of this stone fortress, however, if I’m being honest with you, it really just looks like a stone mountain peak. This is typically one of the most popular things to do in Seoraksan National Park, so you can expect lots of people, but it’s still worth it in my opinion because the views are absolutely incredible.

    8. Nearby Attractions
    As long as you’re in the area, it’s worth it to explore some of the other nearby attractions. Usually, I stay in the Gangneung area, near the famous coffee street here. It’s got a great beach, and an entire street lined with unique cafes. If you explore more of the town, you’ll find lots of seafood, restaurants, and some noraebangs (Korean karaoke bars). If you rented a car, I also recommend stopping at Alpaca World or at the Dreamy Camera Cafe on your way back to Seoul.

    9. Geumganggul Cave
    In order to visit this small temple cave, you’ll need to do a bit of hiking to get there. The trail itself is about 3.6 km (or 2.2 miles) each way. This is one of the harder hikes in the park, and as you get closer to the cave itself, can get very steep, however, the views are incredible and it’s a unique area of the park.

  • Best Time to Visit Seoraksan National Park (Season by Season Guide)

    Seoraksan National Park is one of the best places in South Korea to experience all four seasons. From colorful fall foliage and blooming spring flowers to lush summer hiking trails and snow-covered mountain peaks in winter, the park looks completely different depending on when you visit. If you’re wondering when the best time to visit Seoraksan is, here’s what you can expect during each season so you can decide which time of year is right for your trip.

    My Essential Korea Travel Resources :

    There are plenty of travel companies out there, but these are my favorite websites and resources for planning an unforgettable trip to South Korea. This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more here.

    🚙 Car rentals, although not common in Korea, are best through Discover Cars – just make sure to have a copy of your international driver’s permit with you!

    🏨 I always use AGODA to compare hotels & prices in Asia.

    📶 To keep cell phone service, I use Airalo’s easy to purchase eSIM’s (no installation required).

    📸 For fun things to do, Klook specializes on tours in Asia, otherwise Viator also does the trick.

    🦋 Just in case, Safetywing is the insurance I always use when visiting a new country.

    🧳 Lastly, my essential packing list when visiting Korea.

    Best Time to Visit Seoraksan National Park

    I’ll be honest, figuring out when the “best time to visit Seoraksan” can be a bit tricky, and really depends on your interests and what you’d like to do and experience while you’re there. If you’re looking for picture perfect fall foliage and comfortable hiking weather, fall is hard to beat, but it’s also the busiest time of year in Seoraksan National Park.

    Summer is my personal favorite because all of the hiking trails and the cable car is usually open. The waterfalls are also usually at their strongest, but you’ll need to be prepared for crowds and occasional rainy weather. Spring offers blooming wildflowers, fresh greenery, and much fewer visitors, and in the winter you can expect a quiet, snow-covered landscape that’s perfect for anyone wanting to avoid the large crowds.

    No matter when you visit, each season offers a completely different experience, making Seoraksan National Park a top place to visit no matter the season. Below, you’ll find a little breakdown of pros and cons in each season and what you can expect in the park.

    Seoraksan National Park by Season

    During the months of fall Seoraksan National Park transforms into a colorful landscape with reds, oranges and yellows. Even though the weather begins to turn cooler, it’s perfect for hiking, and you usually get clearer skies. However summer is also one of the busiest seasons to visit Seoraksan. Known for being the most popular “fall foliage” spot in Korea, you can expect large crowds and extended wait times for parking lots, especially during the peak fall colors. If you visit in the Fall, you’ll want to dress in layers and try to time your visit for early in the day – this way you can avoid (and hopefully beat) the largest crowds. Peak fall colors usually come through around late September to October, and the temperature really starts to drop in November as Korea begins winter.

    ​Best For : Fall Colors, Hiking

    Winter in this area of Korea usually feels pretty deserted, and you can expect hardly any visitors – especially compared to the Fall month. This creates a much more quiet and peaceful time to explore Seoraksan National Park. With snow covering the mountain peaks, you’ll want to dress warm with multiple layers and bring some hand warmers. Depending how much snow there is and how icy trails are, you can usually expect some trail closures, meaning there likely won’t be too many opportunities for hiking. If they are open, be prepared for snow and ice (especially if you go higher up) – I recommend wearing crampons or ice cleats.

    ​Best For : Snowy Views, No Crowds

    Spring in Seoraksan is when things begin to liven and green up for Summer. There aren’t too many cherry blossoms in this area, but wildflowers begin to bloom, and the mountains start to turn green again. Hiking trails also begin to open back up, you might just run into a bit of mud. Weather can still be pretty chilly in the mornings and evenings, so I recommend dressing in layers. If it’s been an especially cold winter season then you might still have ice and trail closures – it really depends on the weather.

    Best For : Spring Flowers & No Crowds

    Similar to other popular tourist destinations in Korea, summertime at Seoraksan is also one of the busiest times of year to visit. You can expect large crowds, especially during midday, but it’s still my favorite time to visit. The mountains are a deep green, usually all the trails are open, and you’ll get a change to ride the cable car (as long as there’s no bad weather). Plus depending how much rainfall the area has gotten recently the waterfalls are usually at their largest and most powerful. There’s so much to explore in the summertime, you’ll just need to fight the crowds. Similar to in the Fall I recommend going early to get a parking spot and to try and avoid the largest crowds. July typically brings the rainy season to Korea, so you’ll want to bring an umbrella or poncho with you.

    ​Best For : Hiking Trails, Cable Car, Waterfalls

  • Seoraksan National Park One Day Itinerary: A Complete Guide for Foreigners

    Seoraksan National Park is one of the most beautiful places to visit in South Korea, but figuring out how to include it in your itinerary (or even figuring out how to get there) can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re only planning to visit for one day.

    Most visitors choose to take a day trip from Seoul to Seoraksan, but between transportation, choosing what to see, and deciding which hikes are worth your time – planning can feel a bit stressful. After visiting Seoraksan many times myself, I’ve put together this Seoraksan National Park Guide and “one day itinerary” packed with everything you need to know – including how to get there, what to bring, and the best things to do during your visit.

    My Essential Korea Travel Resources :

    There are plenty of travel companies out there, but these are my favorite websites and resources for planning an unforgettable trip to South Korea. This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more here.

    🚙 Car rentals, although not common in Korea, are best through Discover Cars – just make sure to have a copy of your international driver’s permit with you!

    🏨 I always use AGODA to compare hotels & prices in Asia.

    📶 To keep cell phone service, I use Airalo’s easy to purchase eSIM’s (no installation required).

    📸 For fun things to do, Klook specializes on tours in Asia, otherwise Viator also does the trick.

    🦋 Just in case, Safetywing is the insurance I always use when visiting a new country.

    🧳 Lastly, my essential packing list when visiting Korea.

    Planning a One Day Trip to Seoraksan National Park

    Visiting Seoraksan National Park as a day trip from Seoul is definitely possible, but it requires a bit of planning. Since you’ll likely spend a few hours just traveling each way, you’ll want to start as early as you can and have a general idea or plan of what you’d like to see before you get there. The park is much larger than a lot of first time visitors expect, and even though you won’t be able to experience everything in one day, you can still see some of the most beautiful viewpoints, temples, and hiking trails in a single day.

    The easiest way to visit Seoraksan National Park from Seoul is by taking a bus from the Seoul Express Bus Terminal to Sokcho Express Bus Terminal. Since you’ll only have one day, I recommend taking one of the earliest buses available, usually starting around 6:30 AM. The bus ride to Seoraksan usually takes about 2–3 hours depending on traffic (which can sometimes be really bad in Seoul).

    Once you arrive at Sokcho Express Bus Terminal, you’ll need to transfer to a local bus heading toward Seoraksan. Bus numbers 7 and 7-1 will take you to the main entrance of the park, called the Sogongwon area. Taxis are usually available too, but they can be quite a bit more expensive compared to the local bus. When you head back in the evening, you can follow the same route back to Sokcho – just make sure to check current bus times when you’re at Sokcho Express Bus Terminal so you don’t miss the last bus back!

    If you don’t want to try planning your schedule around the buses or just want to avoid the hassel all-together, you can also book an all inclusive tour to Seoraksan National Park. Some of my personal favorites are this combined tour from Seoul to Seoraksan National Park and Nami Island and this full day tour from Seoul to Seoraksan National Park and Naksana Temple.

    Since you’ll probably be spending most of the day outside, packing the right items can make your trip to Seoraksan a lot more enjoyable. Exactly what you’ll need definitely depends on which season you’re visiting, but generally I recommend wearing comfortable shoes you can walk or hike in, layers for changing temperatures in the mountains, water, snacks, and an umbrella or rain jacket. There are restaurants inside the park, but bringing snacks can help you maximize your time in case you don’t want to stop for a sit down meal. There’s also a first aid station near the entrance, so you don’t really need to worry about carrying an emergency or first aid kit.

    Seoraksan National Park One Day Itinerary

    Once you arrive at Seoraksan National Park, I recommend starting with the most popular attractions first before the really big crowds get there – if you ended up taking a tour to Seoraksan, then this is a bit irrelevant since you’ll already be part of the large crowds. Depending on traffic, you’ll probably arrive around 10:00–11:00 AM, which means you’ll want to prioritize the experiences and attractions that tend to get crowded later in the day, like the cable car. You can find a little sample itinerary below, but you’ll want to check bus time tables and adjust depending on when your bus actually leaves Seoul.

    I recommend visiting the Cable Car and Gwongeumseong Fortress (at the top of the cable car) for your first stop in Seoraksan. This is hands down one of the most popular things to do in the park, so you’ll want to get your ticket and get in line as early as you can, as long as its clear. The ride is short but offers some incredible views of the surrounding mountains and river valley. Once you reach the top, it’s a short walk to the viewpoint overlooking the valley below – one of my favorite view points in the entire park. Las time I visited the cable car was 15,000 Won per adult for a roundtrip ride, and I definitely think it’s worth adding to your itinerary, especially if it’s your first time visiting Seoraksan National Park.

    After you make it back down, I recommend visiting one of the restaurants located inside the park. There’s a few of them that are all next to each other as you head towards the temple area and you’ll spot them by all the picnic tables outside. Prices are pretty reasonable and they typically have traditional Korean foods on the menu, think “jeon” (savory veggie or seafood pancakes), bibimbap, and noodle dishes. From my experience, they’re pretty tasty and fairly quick, making it a good stop to rest your legs and fuel up before you keep exploring. If you want something quicker, there’s a few little food stands too selling snacks like Korean hot dogs that you can take on the go.

    After your lunch or snack break, I recommend heading towards the Singheungsa Temple on the Northeast end of the park. On your way you’ll pass by a large, bronze Buddha statue – and even though it’s pretty cool to look at, I recommend making a short stop before continuing on so you can spend more time at the temple grounds. You’ll pass by a small tea house and bridge, and eventually make it to the stairs leading into the temple area. As you explore, you’ll be able to see the mountain ranges in the background – making for one of the most beautiful temple experiences. Sometimes they have wild bunnies running around, which are pretty adorable. When you’re done exploring the temple area, I recommend stopping at the Seolhyang Tea House on your way out, they have all kinds of teas, coffees, and little desserts to enjoy. If you choose to stop, find a seat outside for some incredible views. Around this time, you’ll likely notice the park becoming a bit more quiet and empty, and chances are you’ll need to begin the journey back to Seoul.

    If for some reason, the cable car isn’t running on the day you visit, I recommend adjusting your schedule to include a hike out to Biryong Falls instead. There’s quite a few hikes in Seoraksan National Park, but this one is one of my favorites. Its just under 3 miles round-trip and usually takes people about two hours with a leisurely pace. There’s actually a few waterfalls on the way that you can enjoy, and you’ll even cross over a fun suspension bridge before continuing onto the stairs that bring you up to Biryong Falls. You can relax here and enjoy the cool water or continue up to Towangseong Falls, although that might be difficult to fit in on a one day trip.

    Overall, I definitely think Seoraksan is worth a one day trip, especially if you’re trying to fit in as much as you can on a short trip to Korea. Staying overnight in Sokcho is a great option if you want to spend more time exploring Seoraksan, but honestly even in a single day you can see most top attractions within the park. Even when I’ve stayed overnight in the area before, I usually end up exploring Seoraksan for just a single day. If you visit, just make sure to start early, check the weather, and prioritize the attractions you don’t want to miss!

  • 9 Best Hiking Trails in Seoraksan National Park (Complete Hiking Guide)

    Seoraksan National Park is one of the best places in South Korea for hiking, with trails ranging from easy and flat waterfall hikes to much more challenging mountain trails. It was actually the first place in Korea where I was able to get away from the city and truly enjoy the outdoors. From waterfall chasing and visiting temples to taking the cable car out to some incredible viewpoints and harder hikes, Seoraksan has something for every type of hiker.

    Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced hiker, this guide covers some of the best hiking trails in Seoraksan National Park and what you can expect from each one.

    My Essential Korea Travel Resources :

    There are plenty of travel companies out there, but these are my favorite websites and resources for planning an unforgettable trip to South Korea. This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more here.

    🚙 Car rentals, although not common in Korea, are best through Discover Cars – just make sure to have a copy of your international driver’s permit with you!

    🏨 I always use AGODA to compare hotels & prices in Asia.

    📶 To keep cell phone service, I use Airalo’s easy to purchase eSIM’s (no installation required).

    📸 For fun things to do, Klook specializes on tours in Asia, otherwise Viator also does the trick.

    🦋 Just in case, Safetywing is the insurance I always use when visiting a new country.

    🧳 Lastly, my essential packing list when visiting Korea.

    Planning Your Seoraksan Hike : What to Know Before You Go

    Before heading out on a hike in Seoraksan National Park, it’s important to plan ahead. My biggest recommendation is to always check the weather before visiting, conditions in this area of Korea near the mountains can change really quickly. Depending on the season, you may need different gear, from warm layers and ice cleats in winter to rain gear and extra water during the hot and humid summers. I recommend wearing comfortable hiking shoes, bringing plenty of water, packing a few snacks, and considering hiking poles for some of the steeper trails.

    It’s also important to know that during the wintertime some trails can close because of ice and snow, and during the spring rain can make certain areas very muddy and slippery. Summer is a great time to visit waterfalls when they’re at their most powerful, and in the fall you can expect beautiful fall colors but also much larger crowds, especially around popular trails like Ulsanbawi Rock and Daecheongbong Peak. If you’re not sure which season to visit in, make sure to check out my Seasonal Guide to Seoraksan.

    Best Hiking Trails in Seoraksan National Park

    This trail begins by taking the cable car, which makes the trip very easy and is only about 10 minutes each way. The views on the ride are absolutely incredible, but it’s worth knowing that they really pack you in – so if you’re uncomfortable around large crowds, you’ll want to grab a spot by the windows. The cable car brings you most of the way up, but if you want you can continue to hike the remaining 0.5 miles to the Fortress area. The hike is short but steep, and it’ll bring you a little bit higher to enjoy the amazing views overlooking the valley and multiple mountain peaks. It’s one of my favorite spots to enjoy in Seoraksan, but it can get extremely busy in the Summer.

    The Biseondae Rock Trail is fairly short at about 2 miles, and usually takes hikers about an 1-2 hours to complete. The trail itself begins near the SeolHyang Tea House, and is super easy to follow with a mostly flat, paved trail as it follows along the river banks. With hardly any elevation gain, it’s one of my personal favorite hikes in Seoraksan and brings you to a rock wall and some boulders in the stream. Most people visit on their way to the Geumganggul Cave.

    The Ulsanbawi Trail is one of the more difficult on my list, and at 4.5 miles with 1,850 feet of elevation gain, it’s easy to see why. Even though it’s one of the most iconic and popular hikes in Seoraksan, the thousands of stairs and rocky trail can be a bit intense. However, if you make it to the top you’ll find one of the most beautiful panoramic views of the nearby valleys and mountain peaks. If you plan to do this hike, I would set aside a couple of hours (the average time for completing this hike is 4 to 5 hours).

    Towangseong Falls & Observatory is another one of the more difficult hikes on my list, though not quite as steep as Ulsanbawi. At 3.5 miles roundtrip and just under 1,000 feet of elevation gain, you’ll have to climb a lot of stairs to reach the top. My husband Tyler did this one on his own, and he said the views were absolutely incredible. It’s worth knowing that typically Towangseong Falls is only flowing after rainfall, so if you visit during a dryer season, you might not see it flowing at all. However, you do pass by Biryong Falls on the way, so it’s almost like a “2-in-1” hike.

    The hike to Geumganggul Cafe is a great mid-level hike, with one of the most unique endpoints. At about 2.5 miles, the hike itself is fairly steep, and brings you to a cave that opens out towards the valley for some incredible views. Because the cave was once used as a religious site, you can still find a carved Buddha inside on the rock wall. This hike usually takes about 4 hours to complete and is typically a little less crowded than the more popular Ulsanbawi.

    The Mount Seorak Summit, also called Daecheongbong Peak, is one of the most intense hikes in Seoraksan National Park. At over 10 miles with an elevation gain of 3,000+ feet (varies depending on the route you take), this is one hike that’ll take the entire day at least, so you’ll really want to plan ahead. With multiple rocks scrambles, steep ascents, and long ridge walks it’s typically only popular with very serious hikers and gets less and less busy throughout the day as you pass by other end points like Ulsanbawi. It’s also worth noting that many hikers completing this trail spend one night on the mountain, and finish the hike in 2 full days.

    Another one of my favorite hikes in Seoraksan is the Biryong Falls trail. At under 3 miles round-trip, this is another mid-level hike with about 800 feet of elevation gain. You’ll begin on a flat, paved trail that brings you through the forest, pass by a few smaller waterfalls along the way, cross a suspension bridge, and continue up a number of stairs before reaching the waterfall. Unfortunately, the waterfall itself is blocked off so you can’t swim in it but further down the river you can soak your feet in the cool water at one of the resting areas. If you want to continue hiking you can continue up more stairs to Towangseong Falls & Observatory.

    The Seoraksan Dinosaur Ridge trail it’s not only the hardest trail to hike in Seoraksan National Park, but it’s commonly considered one of the hardest hikes in all of Korea. The hike itself is just over 14 miles and covers over 3,500 feet of elevation gain. If you make it, you’ll be lead to “Dinosaur Ridge” – a famous ridge line with steep, jagged points that mimic a dinosaur spine, as well as some of the most dramatic and panoramic views of the nearby mountains and valleys.

    One of the easiest hiking trails on my list is the Singheungsa Temple Walk, an easy stroll through the temple grounds. There’s about 2 miles you can walk through, and everything is very flat making it fairly accessible. You can enjoy the temple grounds, gardens, and architecture while also getting glimpses of the mountains in the background. Plus, you’ll occasionally see some adorable bunnies hopping around!